"It's Just Stress," They Said. It Was a Brain Tumour: A Mum's Unflinching Fight for Life.

Imagine, if you will, the relentless hum of daily life for a busy mum. Early mornings, school runs, countless tasks — it’s a whirlwind, isn't it? And honestly, when you’re caught in that beautiful chaos, a persistent headache or a creeping wave of exhaustion often gets chalked up to, well, just being a mum. This was certainly the case for Chloe Balloqui from Guildford. She was living that familiar juggle with her two young children, Harry and Penelope, and initially, those nagging headaches and the profound fatigue were simply "mum life," nothing more, nothing less. It's so easy to dismiss, to brush off the whispers of our bodies when life demands so much, isn't it?

But then, the whispers grew louder. The headaches, they intensified, becoming a daily, unshakeable companion. The tiredness, it wasn't just 'sleepy'; it was a bone-deep, overwhelming weariness that refused to lift, no matter how much rest she managed to grab. You see, this wasn't just a bit of a bad spell; something felt distinctly, unsettlingly off. So, Chloe, as any sensible person would, sought help. She visited her GP time and time again, perhaps four or five appointments over several months, explaining her escalating symptoms – blurred vision started to creep in, and at one point, her speech even became slurred. And yet, the responses were always the same, a familiar refrain: "It's just migraines," they’d say. "Perhaps anxiety." Dismissed, again and again, as something less sinister, something manageable.

It’s frustrating, truly, to feel unheard, isn't it? To know deep down that something is amiss but to be met with explanations that just don't quite fit. And so, the cycle continued until a vital turning point. In February 2023, Chloe went for an eye test, perhaps a last-ditch effort for answers, you could say. What the optician saw was terrifyingly clear: significant swelling behind her eyes. This, finally, triggered the alarm bells that had been silent for far too long. Suddenly, the pace shifted from frustrating delays to urgent action. An immediate referral, an urgent MRI scan – and then, the devastating truth, stark and undeniable. A large mass, a brain tumour, was lurking within her. A diagnosis that, for once, cut through all the uncertainty and the polite dismissals.

The news, as you might well imagine, sent shockwaves through Chloe’s world. The subsequent days were a blur of appointments, consultations, and the grim reality of what lay ahead. Just weeks after that fateful eye test, she underwent a harrowing nine-hour operation. Surgeons, working with incredible precision, managed to remove a staggering 90% of the tumour. But the fight was far from over. The tumour was identified as a Grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma – an aggressive form that demanded further, relentless treatment. Radiotherapy followed, a grueling six-week course, then a year of chemotherapy, an unrelenting battle against a formidable foe.

Today, 18 months post-treatment, Chloe is, remarkably, doing incredibly well. She's navigating life with a new perspective, one etched by the sheer tenacity of survival. It's a testament, surely, to her inner strength and the unwavering support of her loved ones. But, and this is crucial, her experience has also ignited a powerful passion within her. She's become a fierce advocate for Brain Tumour Research, sharing her deeply personal story with an openness that is both brave and inspiring.

Because, in truth, brain tumours remain woefully underfunded and under-researched. For too long, they’ve been a silent killer, often diagnosed late, and with devastating consequences. Chloe’s message is clear, resonating with a quiet power: if you feel something isn’t right, if your symptoms persist despite reassurances, push for answers. Don't be afraid to challenge, to seek second opinions, to be your own most ardent advocate. Her journey isn't just a tale of personal triumph; it's a vital call to action, urging us all to listen to our bodies, to trust our instincts, and to champion the critical need for more awareness and funding in the fight against brain tumours.